By Chisomo Phiri
The High Court of Malawi on Monday ruled that the government’s decision to bar businessman Leston Mulli and five of his companies from securing public contracts in 2012 was unlawful.
In his judgment, Justice Allan Hans Muhome found that the then Attorney General (AG) and Minister of Justice and Constitutional Affairs, , acted outside his legal authority when issuing the directive.
The court also held that Mulli and his companies were denied the right to be heard before the ban was imposed.
The ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by Mulli and five of his companies against the State, seeking K270 billion in compensation for losses allegedly incurred after government ministries, departments, and agencies stopped conducting business with them following the directive issued on September 5, 2012.
Justice Muhome ordered that damages arising from losses directly linked to the ban be assessed by the Chief Registrar if both parties fail to agree on the amount within 14 days.
The court’s decision marks a legal victory for Mulli and his companies, bringing to an end a long-running dispute over the legality of the government’s actions.
